EP 304: From Hungary to Texas: A Dance Legacy Continues

Ever caught yourself swaying to a rhythm in your kitchen and wondered if there's more to it? Viktoria Juhasz of Fred Astaire Dance Studio believes that's your cue to step onto the dance floor. As co-owner of the newly opened Frisco location, Viktoria brings over two decades of European dance experience and a family legacy that spans continents.

The February opening marks an exciting expansion for Fred Astaire in Texas, with the Frisco studio joining locations across Houston, Austin, and multiple DFW spots. Situated in the heart of Frisco at Legacy and Lebanon, the studio has quickly become a vibrant community hub where dance brings people together. Viktoria passionately dismantles the biggest misconception that keeps people away: "A lot of people think they need some kind of background already, but it's really not true." From absolute beginners to wedding couples preparing for their first dance, everyone starts at their own pace with personalized instruction.

What truly sets this studio apart is the family atmosphere Viktoria and her partners have cultivated. "Everybody's super supportive," she explains, describing how existing students enthusiastically welcome newcomers. For those curious but hesitant, their introductory program offers two private 30-minute lessons—the perfect low-pressure opportunity to discover if dance is right for you. Viktoria's journey from dancing in her mother's Hungarian studio to co-owning her own in Texas embodies the transformative power of dance across cultures and generations.

Ready to discover the joy of movement in a supportive community? Find Fred Astaire Dance Studio online by searching for the location nearest you, browse their social media for a glimpse of the experience, or simply walk in anytime. Your dance journey is just one step away—no experience required.

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
This is the Good Neighbor Podcast, the place
where local businesses andneighbors come together.
Here's your host, Sofia Yvette.

Speaker 2 (00:10):
Welcome to the Good Neighbor Podcast.
Are you in need of a dancestudio?
Well, what might be closer thanyou think?
Today I have the pleasure ofintroducing your good neighbor,
victoria Yujas, with FredAstaire Dance Studio.
Victoria, how are you today?
Good?

(00:33):
How are you, sofia?
I'm good Now.
We are so excited to learn allabout you and your dance studio.
Can you start by telling us alittle bit about your company?

Speaker 3 (00:39):
Yeah, so Fred Astaire Dance Studio Free School just
opened this February.
But here in Texas we havemultiple locations.
We have Houston, austin andhere in the DFW area we have
four other locations.
We have Collierville, fortWorth, southlake, mckinney, and
Frisco is in US right now.

Speaker 2 (00:58):
Wow, do you have a favorite location yourself?

Speaker 3 (01:01):
Obviously, it's Frisco.
Yes, because I'm the co-ownerof this studio and I have two
business partners, alexandraMésáros and Mihály Mésáros.
So we just opened this locationand we are really excited about
it.
It's a brand new location, butso far it's an amazing place.

Speaker 2 (01:20):
Amazing and what is the number one myth or
misconception you come across inyour industry?

Speaker 3 (01:29):
So a lot of people think in the beginning that if
they're thinking about to startto dance, then they need some
kind of background already.
But it's really not true,because really we start from
zero.
So everybody who feel that oh,I always felt that I miss
something if I'm not start todance or literally, if you just
hear a good song in your kitchenand you start to move, you have

(01:50):
to come here and start to dothis, because we start
everything from the very basicand we are really open, you know
, for everybody, for couples,for singles, for kids, wedding
couples so anybody can start todance anytime, no age limit?

Speaker 2 (02:08):
absolutely not Now.
I was just gonna ask you aboutthat.
Now we know marketing is theheart of every business.

Speaker 3 (02:23):
Now you went over who your clients and customers are.
How do you currently market tothis audience?
So we work together with thecompany and we have already, you
know, advertisements throughfacebook and instagram, and we
also really heavily work on oursocial media platform.
Uh, our teacher, jenna andterry, they are amazing with the
creating newer and funniercontests every day and and those

(02:44):
are usually, you know, bringinga lot of new people, but at the
same time, we have a bunch ofwalk-ins.
Luckily, we are in a greatlocation in Frisco.
We are in the Legacy in Lebanon, so it's literally middle of
Frisco.
So we have a lot of walk-insand we also have in the studio
what we call guest programs.

(03:04):
So already are increasing.
Students can bring in a lot ofnew people to the studio.

Speaker 2 (03:11):
Now, have you ever thought of having your own
podcast?

Speaker 3 (03:15):
Not yet.
I'm from Hungary.
With this accent, I'm not sure.

Speaker 2 (03:20):
Outside of work.
What do you like to do for fun?

Speaker 3 (03:23):
I'm also professionally dancing.
I have my dance partner wholives in Houston, so that's
really taking all my free time.
But I mean, this is really nota work for me.
This is my life, my hobby andeverything together.
So even when I'm not here inthe studio, I'm here in the
studio.

Speaker 2 (03:45):
Amazing, amazing.
Now please tell our listenersone thing they should remember
about fred.
Is there then studio?

Speaker 3 (03:55):
this is really a big family.
So if you feel that, oh my god,if I come to the studio, then
how I'm gonna feel and whatothers gonna think, don't
hesitate at all, becauseeverybody's super supportive.
We have a lot of beginners,especially that we are super
supportive.
We have a lot of beginners,especially that we are a new
studio.
We have a lot of competitorwho's already with us for years.
So everybody always welcomingall the new students.

(04:18):
They are always really excitedto see new faces in the building
.
So don't hesitate.
If you feel that I'm not sureif it's something for me, I
would absolutely give a try forit.
So we have our program, what'scalled introductory program.
That's two 30 minutes longlesson, private lesson, and
that's the best try out and thenafter you can still see okay,

(04:40):
is this the right fit for me?
Just give a try really.

Speaker 2 (04:46):
So, victoria, where did your heart for dance really
begin for you?

Speaker 3 (04:51):
It's really a long time ago because I haven't
mentioned that from Hungary andI started dancing in my mom's
dance studio, so this is afamily thing.
My sister also a competitordancer, and I literally grew up
with dancing.
And back in Europe I wasdancing for over 20 years and
then, when this opportunity cameto move to the US, first I

(05:14):
started as a dance instructor,then as a manager and now I'm
co-owning this location inFrisco.

Speaker 2 (05:22):
Wow, and final question for you today where can
our listeners go to learn moreabout Fred Astaire Dance Studio?

Speaker 3 (05:29):
so if you type in like whichever location you are,
just type in Fred Astaire DanceStudios and then what is closer
to your location it will pop upso you can find our website.
Social media platforms Facebook, instagram or just walk in
anytime well, victoria, I reallyappreciate you being on the

(05:50):
show.

Speaker 2 (05:51):
We wish you and your business the best moving forward
.
Thank, you.

Speaker 3 (05:55):
Thank you so much.

Speaker 1 (05:56):
Thank you for listening to the good neighbor
podcast.
To nominate your favorite localbusinesses to be featured on
the show, go to GNP Friscocom.
That's GNPriscocom, or call469-221-9345.